Е. П. Ковалевский и Ф. М. Достоевский: общественные и литературные связи

Abstract

The paper is dedicated to the relationship of E. P. Kovalevsky and F. M. Dostoevsky in the 40s and 60s of the 19th century. The work examines the writers’ sociopolitical views during the period of their participation in the circle of M. V. Petrashevsky and the meetings of S. F. Durov and A. I. Palm. Both writers being influenced by the ideas of the Petrashevtsy inevitably affected their work and, in particular, the narrator’s, the typology of heroes. The friendly relationship between E. P. Kovalevsky and F. M. Dostoevsky was to be continued within the framework of the Literary Fund activities. Kovalevsky highly appreciated Dostoevsky’s work in the Fund. Since 1860, the writer was an indispensable participant in all literary readings and performances. Consideration is given to the aspects of mutual understanding and mutual influence bringing the two artists together in solving complex issues: the attitude to Russian life, the situation and psychology of modern man in Russia and the West, the Eastern question on the example of Kovalevsky’s essay “An episode from the war of the Montenegrins with the Austrians” and chapters from “A Writer’s Diary” for July - August 1876 “Idealist-Cynics” and “Should One Be Ashamed of Being an Idealist?” by Dostoevsky. They are united by a caring attitude towards the Slavic peoples. For the first time, this paper presents the unpublished letters of Kovalevsky to Dostoevsky and the letters of Palm to Kovalevsky.